Dog & Cat Food Calculator: Your Pet Feeding Guide
Calculate the right daily food portion for your dog based on weight, age, and activity level. Supports dry, wet, and mixed feeding for accurate portions.
Use CalculatorRaw feeding for dogs - commonly called BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food or Bones and Raw Food) or PMR (Prey Model Raw) - has gained significant popularity as owners seek whole-food, minimally processed diets for their pets. Done correctly, raw feeding can provide a nutritionally complete, highly palatable diet. Done incorrectly, it carries real risks of nutritional imbalance, bacterial contamination, and injury from bone fragments. The Raw Dog Food Calculator helps you determine appropriate daily raw food portions and basic macronutrient ratios for your dog.
Basic Raw Feeding Guidelines
Use the table below to compare Basic Raw Feeding Guidelines.
| Guideline | Value | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily intake as % of body weight | 2-3% of ideal body weight | Active dogs may need 3%; sedentary or overweight: 2%; puppies: 2-3% of expected adult weight | |
| Muscle meat % | 60-70% | Primary protein and energy source; includes heart (muscle meat, not organ) | |
| Raw meaty bones % | 20-25% | Bone-in chicken, turkey, rabbit; provides calcium and phosphorus; NEVER cooked bones | |
| Secreting organs % | 10-15% | Liver (max 5%) + other secreting organs (kidney, spleen, brain, testicles) | |
| Liver specifically | 5% maximum of total diet | Critical for vitamins A and D; excess causes vitamin A toxicity | |
| Additional vegetables (optional) | Up to 10% can replace some muscle meat | Leafy greens, broccoli, squash; no onion, garlic, grapes |
Daily Raw Portion Calculator by Dog Weight
Use the table below to compare Daily Raw Portion Calculator by Dog Weight.
| Dog Weight | 2% Daily (maintenance/sedentary) | 2.5% Daily (average active adult) | 3% Daily (active/working dogs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 lbs (4.5 kg) | 90g (about 3.2 oz) | 113g (4 oz) | 136g (4.8 oz) |
| 20 lbs (9 kg) | 180g (6.4 oz) | 226g (8 oz) | 272g (9.6 oz) |
| 30 lbs (13.6 kg) | 272g (9.6 oz) | 340g (12 oz) | 408g (14.4 oz) |
| 50 lbs (22.7 kg) | 454g (1 lb) | 567g (1.25 lbs) | 680g (1.5 lbs) |
| 75 lbs (34 kg) | 680g (1.5 lbs) | 850g (1.9 lbs) | 1,020g (2.25 lbs) |
| 100 lbs (45 kg) | 907g (2 lbs) | 1,134g (2.5 lbs) | 1,361g (3 lbs) |
Safe Raw Bones: Guide
Use the table below to compare Safe Raw Bones: Guide.
| Bone Type | Safe? | Size Dogs | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raw chicken wings / necks | Safe | Small to medium dogs | Soft; consumed whole; excellent calcium source |
| Raw chicken frames / carcasses | Safe | Medium to large dogs | Inexpensive; nutritious; must be raw |
| Raw turkey necks | Safe | Large dogs | Larger bone-in meal; chew time |
| Raw beef ribs (meaty) | Safe with supervision | Large dogs | Bone fragments possible; supervise always |
| Raw lamb ribs | Generally safe | Medium-large dogs | Supervision recommended |
| Raw pork (any) | Caution - Aujeszky's disease risk in some regions | Avoid in endemic regions | Freeze for 3 weeks at -20C to reduce pathogen risk |
| Cooked bones (ANY species) | NEVER | All dogs | Cooked bones splinter; cause perforation; always dangerous |
| Weight-bearing long bones (beef femur, knuckle) | Caution only | Very large dogs | Dental fracture risk; high marrow density; use sparingly |
Food Safety in Raw Feeding
Use the table below to compare Food Safety in Raw Feeding.
| Risk | Management Strategy |
|---|---|
| Salmonella and E. coli contamination | Hygienic handling; wash hands, bowls, and surfaces; do not feed immunocompromised people in household from same prep area |
| Nutritional imbalance | Use BARF or PMR guidelines strictly; supplement with fish oil and missing trace minerals; use veterinary nutritionist for custom formulation |
| Parasites (Toxoplasma, Neospora, tapeworm) | Freeze all meat except commercially prepared raw for 3 weeks at -4F (-20C) before feeding |
| Bone injury (fractured teeth, perforation) | Use only raw, appropriately sized bones; supervise always; never leave with a bone unsupervised; no cooked bones ever |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is raw food better than commercial kibble?
The scientific evidence does not definitively support raw food as universally superior to high-quality commercial diets. Proponents cite palatability, stool quality, coat condition, and natural feeding philosophy. Critics cite nutritional imbalance in home-formulated raw diets (many studies find deficiencies), food safety concerns, and lack of long-term controlled studies. A properly formulated raw diet can be excellent; a poorly formulated one can cause serious deficiencies.
Can I mix raw food with kibble?
Yes, contrary to the common claim that mixing causes digestive problems. There is no credible evidence that combining raw and kibble in the same meal causes harm. Many owners successfully feed mixed diets. The pH differences between raw and kibble do not cause issues in normal healthy dogs.
Note: Raw feeding plans should be balanced over time and reviewed for your dog's age, health, activity, and food safety needs.
Helpful related calculators
Continue with Dog & Cat Food Calculator: Your Pet Feeding Guide, Calcium Content Calculator for Large Breed Puppy Food, Dog Protein Calculator by Weight for the next practical step.
